Lord: Starting with Summoning the Regular Army of Earth

As night deepened, a warm light still shone in Matthew's room.

This is the quietest time of day, and also the time when Matthew studies "the theory of magic".

With the initial completion of the translation task, Matthew also began his study and exploration of magical knowledge.

After all, in this world of magic, learning magical knowledge is just like learning math and physics in your previous life. Even if you can't become a magician, you should at least understand the theoretical knowledge.

"Your Highness, we have already discussed the basic concept of 'Mana'—it is an energy particle that permeates all things in the world and forms the basis of all magical phenomena." Will's voice was gentle and clear.

Although he himself could not perceive or control magic, as the first in line to inherit the Kuroki family, he naturally received careful upbringing from the family from a young age.

Therefore, his theoretical foundation is extremely solid, and even ordinary lower-level monks may not have as much theoretical knowledge as him.

Will pointed to the open book, "An Introduction to the Fundamentals of Magic and a Preliminary Explanation of Magical Power," with its dark blue cover and silver trim, and continued, "The most crucial step to becoming a magician is learning how to perceive and guide mana. This is also the chasm that distinguishes 'mortals' from 'spellcasters.'"

Matthew sat up straight, completely focused.

This is his current most desired goal, or rather, it is the most desired goal for all those who study magic.

"But perceiving mana is not easy. Unless one is born with a magical affinity, one can only achieve the perception of mana through meditation." As he said this, a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashed in Will's eyes.

Born into a family of magicians, he naturally wanted to become a powerful magician like his father and hoped to gain his father's approval. However, fate played a cruel trick on him, and no matter how hard he tried, he still could not sense mana.

"Let's give it a try, Your Highness. Don't worry, it doesn't matter if we fail, because this is a very difficult thing in itself."

Will gestured for Matthew to relax and close his eyes.

"Try to empty your mind, stop thinking about specific things, and instead focus your attention on your breathing. Feel the inflow and outflow of breath, imagine yourself as a sponge, or an unpolished magic crystal, and try to feel the subtle flow of the surrounding space with each breath..."

Matthew closed his eyes as instructed and tried to follow Will's guidance.

Gradually, only the steady breathing of the two people and the soft crackling of the candlelight remained in the room.

"You don't need to deliberately search for it." Will's voice guided you like a hypnosis. "Mana is everywhere, like air. When you stop paying attention to it, you're more likely to notice its presence. The key is to enter a relaxed and focused state. Initially, you might feel a slight tingling, warmth, or coolness in your fingertips or between your eyebrows. This could be Mana's response to your most basic calling."

Matthew tried for over ten minutes, his brow furrowed, and finally opened his eyes helplessly: "Besides being a little sleepy, I don't feel anything special."

He rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat discouraged.

The theory sounds simple, but putting it into practice is like groping in the dark or looking for a needle in a haystack, with no clue whatsoever.

Will smiled and reassured him, "That's perfectly normal, Your Highness. Perceiving mana requires talent and a great deal of practice. Most people never take that step in their entire lives. I don't know how many times I've tried over the past ten years, but I believe that you, who can control that magical pendant, are certainly more talented than I am. As long as you persist in meditation every day, you will soon be able to perceive mana."

He picked up another book with a brown cover and the scent of ancient wood, "The Complete Guide to the Identification and Properties of Common Magical Materials," and turned to a page with illustrations of various strange crystals and gems.

"Besides meditation, external aids are also important. Certain natural materials, such as wearing pure magic crystals and the magic cores of high-level magical beasts, or taking specific magical potions, can significantly increase the success rate of perception."

Will pointed to a sky-blue magic crystal in the illustration: "However, like magical knowledge, these kinds of resources are usually monopolized by major mage organizations and nobles. Very few of them end up on the market, and they are basically priceless."

“Of course,” Will changed the subject, looking at Matthew and lowering his voice, “that magic pendant you have might be of some help to you, which is why I firmly believe you will succeed.”

Matthew subconsciously touched the pendant; he did indeed have some expectations for it.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a steady knock.

"Comrade Matthew, this is Sun Zhengwu."

"Please come in," Matthew replied.

Sun Zhengwu pushed open the door and entered. Seeing the scene inside, he couldn't help but say, "I'm sorry to disturb your work."

"It's alright, Team Leader Sun, this is a good day." Matthew gestured for Sun Zhengwu to sit down. "Is there anything else?"

Sun Zhengwu walked to the desk and began his report with a serious expression: "Comrade Matthew, I just had an in-depth discussion with Comrade Lei Hu about the plan to clear out the goblin tribe. He proposed a very comprehensive and excellent plan, but there are some things I need to discuss with you."

He briefly recounted Lei Hu's core plan: to infiltrate and assassinate the leader of the Dark Green Axe Fangs, "Iron Anvil," and frame him, thus igniting a full-scale war between the two tribes. Emberstone Ridge would then reap the benefits and take the opportunity to completely eliminate both tribes.

"Therefore, to ensure everything goes smoothly, I suggest expanding the military team's call-up on the night of the operation. We can temporarily reduce non-combat units and concentrate on a one-time, maximum-capacity deployment of combat personnel."

"Okay, how many do you think would be appropriate?"

Sun Zhengwu paused, then said seriously, "I suggest temporarily increasing the combat force to one hundred. When the two goblin tribes, under our guidance, have fought to a standstill and are exhausted, our well-rested and fully equipped fresh force can then launch a thunderous attack, thoroughly and completely annihilating all their remaining forces!"

Sun Zhengwu's voice was resolute: "In this way, we can eliminate these two major threats once and for all, clearing away all obstacles for subsequent exploration and development into the Misty Mountains."

After listening, Matthew nodded, a hint of joy appearing in his eyes.

He had actually been waiting for this day for a long time; finally, he could wipe out those goblins completely.

Of course, Matthew is now concerned not only about the threat posed by the two goblin tribes, but also about how annihilating them would allow him to obtain more life essence and summon more large goblin units.

"Yes, no problem. I trust your judgment. You can make the specific plans, and I will fully cooperate. Even if we have to add more combat units temporarily, it won't be a problem," Matthew said confidently.

He had previously traded soap for two magic crystals and a magic core. With these sources of magic power, he wasn't worried at all.

"Alright, then I request permission to return to Earth immediately for a meeting to discuss and formulate a comprehensive battle plan!"

Matthew dispelled the summoning spell, allowing Sun Zhengwu to return to Earth.

He then continued to try meditation under Will's guidance, but unfortunately, he did not sense any magic power until late at night, and his mind was exhausted.

So he had no choice but to give up for the time being and lay down on the bed to fall into a deep sleep.

In the stillness of the night, the bright moonlight, like quicksilver, streamed through the window, casting a cool, silvery glow on the table, chairs, and the sleeping silhouette of Matthew.

Before long, in the shadows of the corner of the room, a pair of dark purple cat eyes, like those containing the starry sky, lit up in the darkness.

The black cat Night Song emerged silently from the shadows, its footsteps so light they made no sound, its paws treading on the cool stone slabs like a gentle breeze across water.

It first pricked up its ears warily, tilted its head and listened to Matthew's breathing for a while, confirming that he was already fast asleep.

Then, it gracefully leaped onto the desk, and the moonlight immediately illuminated its sleek black body, its fur as smooth as the finest silk.

Night Song strolled over to the open, thick, and old "Introduction to the Fundamentals of Magic," a human-like glint of curiosity and disdain flashing in her dark purple cat eyes.

"Foolish humans, you have such a treasure, yet you don't know how to use it, and you still want to learn the most clumsy method." A girl's voice, tinged with a touch of laziness and arrogance, rang out in the silent air.

Night Song turned to look at Matthew on the bed, its eyes flickering slightly. Having learned its lesson from being attacked by the magic pendant last time, it did not approach rashly.

With a flick of its furry paw, the book "Introduction to the Fundamentals of Magic" flew up and crashed down on Matthew on the bed.

……

[Thank you so much for the monthly tickets! It's a new week, and I'll continue to urge you to keep reading. I hope you'll remember to check back often for the latest chapters, as this data directly affects the recommendation rankings. Also, please give me some monthly tickets to help it climb the new book charts. Thank you so much for your support!]